A FULL review will take place to find out how a homeless man ended up dying outside a Malvern shop on Christmas Day.

Joby Sparrey, who was believed to be 47 or 48 years old, was found dead outside Brays Department Store in Worcester Road.

At the time, Malvern Hills District Council said an investigation would be launched into Mr Sparrey’s death, and has now confirmed that the matter has been referred to the county council's adult safeguarding board for a full review.

A spokesman for Malvern Hills District Council, said: “We have referred the case regarding Joby Sparrey to the adult safeguarding board recommending that they undertake a safeguarding review.

“We have also arranged an expert panel next month to consider our response to rough sleeping issues in rural towns.”

The council’s head of housing and communities had said Mr Sparrey was offered “extensive help” including temporary accommodation “whilst longer term options were explored.”

Tributes were placed outside the store where Mr Sparrey’s body was found by family and friends, and Malvern's MP Harriett Baldwin offered her condolences.

"I know from my own casework that some people who live on the streets have complex needs and government and local authorities must continue to work together to help some of the most vulnerable people in our society,” she said.

Mr Sparrey was the second rough sleeper to die in Malvern in just two months after Remigiusz Boczarski, who lived in a disused bus shelter in Wells Road, died in October 2018.

Since then Malvern Hills District Council has announced a new plan to tackle homelessness in the region.

Councillors approved the plan after hearing that the number of rough sleepers in Worcester had doubled from 12 to 24.